Posts Tagged "KickStarter"

Sharing photos on social media has become a large part of our everyday lives. Whether it’s to capture a special moment or share a fantastic meal with our online community, we are hooked on sharing our photography. The Bevel 3D wants to take your photos to new heights by making them truly three-dimensional. “Bevel is the world’s first attachment capable of capturing real 3D photographs on any smartphone or tablet. You can even use Bevel for 3D printing.”

With Bevel, you can capture an experience in a revolutionary way and share it across all of your personal networks. We see 3D scanning being put to use everyday to help capture product images and recreate artifacts, but not at this kind of personal level. Bevel is a mere 2.5 inches long and simply connects through the headphone jack of your smartphone or tablet. “The photos can be rotated, turned into animated GIFs and viewed from multiple angles. You can also add an image of the background behind the 3D photo.” The creative touches you would be able to put on your photos are virtually endless. 3D photography is certainly a disruptive technology but having the ability to easily capture and share moments in this new way provides an array of new opportunities.

As an engineering firm, we are delighted to see that Bevel can be used for 3D printing purposes. From a business perspective, having 3D scanning technology accessible through a phone or tablet would be very convenient throughout the entire product development process.

It is well-known that there is a major gap in our STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education pipeline and that nearly 40% of companies report difficulty in filling positions because of a lack of STEM skills*. With the ever increasing demand for STEM skills, it is imperative that we spark a love of STEM education in our students early-on. Fostering interest in STEM related subjects at an early age encourages students to explore these types of careers as they progress through school. The best and most effective way of getting our students interested in STEM is through real world, hands-on learning.

This week we are featuring StemBox, “a subscription box that makes real science accessible to young girls and empowers them as young scientists”. StemBox sends out boxes full of all the necessary equipment to conduct real-world science experiments. “Each box contains sophisticated labware and reagents for the science experiment, a protocol, fun science accessories, and a link to our corresponding videos. Our educational videos feature in-depth explanation from a real female role model working in that box’s field.” On the StemBox Kickstarter page you can view their “Strawberry DNA Extraction Box” and the “Owl Pellet Dissection Box”, both of these boxes encourage young girls to get out and explore the world around them. We also see that there is a future engineering kit in the works!

It has been proven that students learn more and retain information when they are able to participate in activities. Having these StemBoxes tailor-made for age level and interests is a fantastic way to make subjects come alive for students.

Traveling anymore is quite complicated, and to make matters worse, seat size and legroom is quickly diminishing to make room for additional rows of seats. Maximizing your amount of seat space is necessary for a comfortable journey. The Airhook is a small device that clips onto your locked tray table and holds both your tablet or phone at eye level as well as a drinking cup. This one device allows you to enjoy additional legroom by completely eliminating the need for a tray table.

“The Airhook is a patent-pending two part system: a stable drink holder and a secure hook to mount your electronic device. Travelers needs have changed since airplane tray tables were designed decades ago, and vertical use of the tray table allows for a more comfortable flying experience.”

The design of the Airhook is relatively simple, yet it is solving a major problem. Dare we say that this device could be solving the legroom problem once and for all? We can definitely see why this product has been wildly successful on Kickstarter. As an engineering firm we know that perfecting a design takes time, and on the Airhook Kickstarter page you can view the different prototypes they experimented with before landing on this final design.

Quite simply the 3DSimo is the ultimate tool for makers. We know that the aforementioned statement is bold, but we have yet to see such a small (and well designed) tool with so much power and flexibility. While 3D printing pens are popular, this tool goes beyond and incorporates additional functionality. The 3DSimo fits comfortably in your hand and can be used for 3D printing, soldering, engraving, burning, foam cutting and much more. Makers can use any standard 1.75 mm filament, which means there is both flexibility and numerous material possibilities.

“The 3DSimo mobile app gives you control over the temperature and speed so you can work with different and sometimes totally new materials. The FREE Android and iOS app connects to your Mini via Bluetooth. The 3DSimo app allows you to adjust the temperature, speed and different material profiles with precision. The app will also provide you with instructional videos, templates to print and regular software updates.”

According to Atmel, an American-based manufacturer and major backer of the Maker Movement, 135 million U.S. adults are Makers and USA Today reports that Makers fuel business, pouring some $29 billion into the world economy each year. The Maker Movement is already quite large and continues to grow at a rapid pace. The 3DSimo Mini is one tool that makers should add to their ever expanding toolbox.

It’s summer time and that means more time outside in the pool. While spending time in the pool is a staple of the season, maintaining a pool can be a challenge. Drop, the smart pool monitor aims to simplify the care process for your pool. “With Drop, you can monitor all the relevant variables in our easy-to-use app: chlorine, pH,temperature, movement, and overall water quality. Watch the levels change in real time when you make adjustments to your pool.” The app also alerts you to any unexpected pool activity so you are constantly aware of what is happening in your pool. Drop is solar powered, so you will never have to worry about it losing its charge.

Drop Specifications:

Solar powered with lithium-ion battery back-up.

Measures temperature, pH and ORP (Oxydo-Reduction Potential) as a proxy for chlorine levels.

Provides a custom maintenance plan designed to help you maintain a perfect balance without over-use of chemicals in your pool.

Adapts and learns about your pool – recommendations and accuracy will improve over time.

As a design firm we are always interested in the process taken to achieve the final product, and on the Drop Kickstarter page you can view early sketches, prototypes and product testing. You can truly see the time and dedication devoted to perfecting the design. Drop is the perfect pool assistant.

Night lights are a staple in many children’s rooms and throughout the entire house. The Aumi is a completely redesigned and re-imagined night light. “Aumi is the smartest Night Light you’ll ever own. It’s a Bluetooth enabled, portable, multi-colored nightlight that you control with your smart phone or tablet.” The simplicity of its design along with features make Amui truly innovative.

Aumi at a glance…

Connectivity: Bluetooth LE/Smart (iOS & Android)

Automatic: Sensor can be use to turn light on automatically when dark, or off when it’s daylight.

Timers: Use timers to turn off or dim light, set reminders.

Battery: Rechargeable Lipo battery, up to 8 -10 hours of light per charge. Stays on when power goes out.

Responsive: Manually adjust the brightness or turn the unit on and off with simple intuitive controls.

Aumi is a night light but also serves as portable lighting, since it is equipped with a rechargeable battery. This feature makes it ideal for children and anyone who might require extra light around the house after dark. The low profile design of Aumi (0.8 inch width) also means that when it is plugged in, it’s not obtrusive and less likely to accidentally get knocked out of the wall. We know that we say it time and again, but some of the most innovative products out there are simply upgraded and redesigned products we all use on a daily basis, the Aumi included.

Virtual reality headsets once seemed like a thing of fiction, however the technology for them is quickly advancing and they are now part of today’s reality. The FOVE Virtual Reality Headset on Kickstarter has made quite a splash and was funded in a mere 72 hours! FOVE is the first eye tracking virtual reality headset, which means that it tracks a user’s gaze and calculates where in 3D space a user is looking. This enables the graphics engine to adjust focus and allocate rendering resources accordingly.

Make Eye Contact. Look, laugh and communicate with virtual characters just like in the real world.

Focus Your Vision. View realistic scenery that blurs and sharpens, reacting to where you are focusing.

Move Naturally. Tilt your head to reduce simulation sickness by reducing the need for unnatural head movements.

“FOVE enables eye-tracking by incorporating custom small form-factor infrared sensors inside the headset. These sensors bounce light off the retina to register how the eyes are angled. Our unique algorithms can calculate the parallax between the eyes to track and measure depth-of-field focus.” The technology behind this virtual reality headset make is great for gaming but the technology goes far beyond that as well… “Eye Play the Piano is a collaborative project between the University of Tsukuba’s Special Needs Education School for the Physically Challenged and FOVE. FOVE recognizes eye movement and blinks to trigger the selected chord, which is then conveyed to the piano.” (You can view a video of the children in action playing the piano on the FOVE Kickstarter page.)

Virtual reality is the future of storytelling and this technology has far reaching capabilities. If you are interested in learning more about the technology behind FOVE, check out the Kickstarter page; It is full of videos, renderings and fascinating VR technology information. You can also visit the official company website.

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3D Innovations is a full service 3D Engineering/Design company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.

Do you find yourself wanting to take your 3D prints to the next level? The Orbit1 is an efficient, easy-to-use electroplating device that coats your 3D print in metal. Not only does your print automatically look polished but the coating adds strength as well. The brilliance behind the Orbit1 is both in its ability to coat your product and its true ease of use; In just three simple steps you can be on your way to a truly one-of-a-kind product. This tabletop electroplater has made a once (very) complicated process easy. “Using Orbit1, you can coat your works in metal, even gold, in three steps. First, clean and polish your object, next spray the conductive paint, then click start. Orbit1 will metallize your design, empowering you with the Midas touch from your tabletop. Orbit1 is a step forward in the 3D printing world.”

The affordability of the Orbit1 makes it ideal for consumer 3D printing. “Makers, jewelers, engineers, designers, scientists, tinkerers, and artists have all been longing for a simple way to refine their 3D printed objects. Here comes the smart and speedy solution. Applicable to jewelry design, industrial design, rapid prototyping, mechanical parts, specialty electrical parts, molding/casting kits, and more.” Also, with the the Oribit1 app on your phone you can directly monitor the coating process and receive real time reminders. It is evident that the Orbit1 was designed to be truly innovative and user-friendly.

Crowdfunding websites have become a mecca for 3D printing technology. While most of the 3D printers we see have a single feature that makes them standout from the competition it is a rarity to find a 3D printer that is efficient, versatile and compact. Our featured Product of the Week, MoonRay, meets all of these and more. The engineers behind the MoonRay Desktop 3D Printer set out to bridge the gap between quality and price, and from their Kickstarter page it looks like this has been successfully accomplished.

“The desktop 3D printers on the market today fall into two groups: expensive and high resolution or less expensive but with sub-standard printing quality. We designed the MoonRay to bridge this gap and bring high-quality printing capabilities to an affordable desktop 3D printing unit.” The phenomenal printing quality of the MoonRay means that your finished product will be accurate and the ultra-fine details won’t be lost. We have seen this type of accuracy in large commercial sized 3D printers but never before in a compact desktop printer at this price point.

The overall design of the MoonRay is simple and intuitive. “The MoonRay has no moving parts that aren’t essential to the printing process. This simplicity allows the MoonRay to keep running smoothly over time.” To get started with MoonRay all your have to do is plug it in (seriously)! No assembly required means that you can start printing right away. The sleek outward appearance of MoonRay coupled with the internal technology makes this 3D printer truly one-of-a-kind.

The new MacBook laptops are sleek and stylish but a distinct problem arises when you go to plug-in multiple devices and realize there is only one USB-C port. If you have multiple monitors or simply want to charge a device while you work, you have a frustrating issue on your hands. Our featured “Product of the Week”, Hub+, solves this problem! With Hub+ you get all of the essential ports that you need in one compact and portable device:

“The Hub+ is not just a hub. It serves as a charging bridge for the new MacBook and makes it possible to plug in all your gear and charge your MacBook at the same time. We resisted building in a fixed cable that limits the usability of the hub in order to give the user the freedom that he deserves.”

The compact size of the Hub+ along with its stylish design captured our interest. The attention to detail is impeccable and it looks as though it could be an official Apple product in its own right. “The small footprint saves desk space and the sleek design matches your laptop.”

Hub+ is wildly popular on Kickstarter and we can definitely see why… This one innovative product is solving an issue that thousands of people struggle with daily.